“Alan, drink!” Phantom commanded.
Don’t do it, Eve suddenly commanded. Look around you.
Alan did so, turning his head around. The boisterous and exuberant recruits were all looking tired. A few began to sit or even lie down where they stood, falling asleep. Alan watched as the other squire’s eyes slowly began to dim.
Phantom forcefully grabbed Alan, and whispered into his ear, “Drink! Or else I’ll get in trouble. Please?”
Alan glanced at Phantom, then sighed. He took the shot and swallowed it as quickly as he could. It caused a distinct burning sensation as it ran down his throat. He opened his mouth to say something to Phantom, but then his eyes glazed over, and Alan collapsed onto the floor.
Phantom eyes gleamed as he looked up at Elissandra, who was calmly watching him.
“Some people really can’t handle their liquor, eh?” Phantom smilingly took a large swig out of the bottle he had poured the shots from, staring intently at Elissandra’s figure, as if there was something only he could see. Phantom winked at Alan, a hint of a gear whirling momentarily, and then Alan finally blacked out.
Chapter 18
Alan awoke in a dark cavern, surrounded by the hundred or so recruits that had been admitted to the Black Rose Guild. They had all regained consciousness at roughly the same time. Alan checked his new notifications, then examined his surroundings.
Due to falling unconscious repeatedly, Transcendent Will now helps the user resist such losses of consciousness. +5 Willpower
You have left the safe zone. Death penalties will once again apply, along with all the risks typically associated with the Game. An unsafe zone does not equate with a lawless zone, and all players are reminded that local rules should still be adhered to. That includes theft, murder and unwanted soliciting.
Communications with the outside world have been suspended. Your ability to send messages to other players is disabled.
New Quest: Escape!
With the aid of your new fellow guildmates, you should try to figure your way out of wherever you are as soon as possible.
Penalty: Death
Reward: ???
At first glance, Alan had assumed they were in some wilderness area. As his eyes managed to quickly adjust to the darkness, Alan now saw that everything was too cleanly cut, too symmetrical to have been a product of nature. Upon closer inspection the grey rocks that made up the walls covered a dark metal. Looking up, Alan could see no ceiling, only darkness, even with his enhanced vision.
The cavern was about the size of a large church, with all of the recruits spread out on the floor evenly. Alan could make out two exits at opposite ends of the walclass="underline" Rectangular doorways about five feet wide and ten feet tall.
The other recruits began to make startling cries, as they found themselves in the middle of nowhere in darkness. A few shouts comforted people, letting them know they weren’t alone, that all of the new recruits were here together. Various lights began to flicker on, from flashlights to laser swords to psionic balls of light. Alan looked around as his vision once more adjusted, and realized for the first time that there had never been any real light source in the cavern, other than the odd LEDs on a couple different devices. He had been seeing in the dark.
As everyone’s heads began to clear, the noise level in the room gradually elevated until it became a dull roar, different conversations happening everywhere, the same worried questions asked repeatedly. Alan ignored the people around him, instead making his way over to one of the two exits.
“Enough!” Someone finally yelled out at the center of the crowd. Alan looked back to see Aurora, firmly taking control of the group, raising a bright ball of light in her hands, illuminating the cavern.
As Aurora began calming people down, taking stock of supplies and people’s abilities, forming a raid group, Alan made it to one of the exits, and looked out.
At first, he simply saw darkness, but as his vision once more adjusted, a somewhat familiar sight returned. Alan found himself looking at an endless gloom, with only a single 20-foot wide unlit stone walkway between him and nothingness. They were in the Abyss Labyrinth.
Alan was about to step onto the walkway when he reconsidered. He should probably talk it over with the others, and share the information with the group before he started exploring. Still, he needed to find some treasure worth enough to pay back Icewolf. He made his way back to the recruits, who had gathered around Aurora’s light, discussing what they should do next.
“I think we should stay here, we have enough supplies for at least a day or two, and surely the guild will rescue us,” a broad-shouldered warrior carrying a laser-shield and short sword said.
“Nonsense!” A female voice popped up. Alan couldn’t get a look at their face. “They were the ones that sent us to this place. Or do you not notice that there are only recruits here? None of the full guild members at the party fell unconscious. Let’s try to be constructive, and figure out where we are. We should—”
“I know where we are!” Alan shouted. Everyone turned to look at him, parting the crowd so everyone could see him. “At least, um, I’m fairly confident about where we are,” he said more quietly.
“And where is that?” Aurora asked.
“The Abyss Labyrinth,” Alan replied. His words were followed by a sudden hush, a few worried looks. Everyone broke into their own conversations.
Alan walked over to Sidestep, who was standing by Aurora’s side, constantly scanning their surroundings.
“Um, what’s the big deal? Why’d everyone start getting so nervous?” Alan asked.
Sidestep looked at Alan incredulously. “What’s the big deal? This is one of the prime slaving grounds on Khersath, one of the most dangerous dungeons, We’re a group of recruits, new to the Game and region, all with levels around 100-200! Prime targets for any slavers here.”
Alan shrugged. “It wasn’t that bad when I was down here before. If you want to avoid the slavers, you just jump off the edge and die, that’s it.”
“Just jump off the ledge and die!? Do you know how far dying sets you back—”
“Enough!” Aurora shouted once more, looking annoyed. Everyone quieted down. “We now know where we are, if Alan’s information is correct, and I have no reason to doubt him. It seems like he’s been here before. Is there anything you can tell us about this place, Alan?”
“Um, well there are probably a few secret pathways around here but I think that’d be a bad idea for a group as large as this. Oh, and we may run into enemies. I’d suggest we pick one of the two exits, and start exploring. We should find a way out eventually, right?” Alan hesitatingly said.
His comment sparked another debate about the group’s next steps, and talk once again resumed. Alan silently conversed with Eve, half paying attention to the argument.
We are in the Abyss Labyrinth, aren’t we?
I would say we are, with 90% certainty. I would recommend that you not mention that this place is a prison, as that information would result in additional unwanted questions.
Does that mean we’re back under the Undercity? Do you have any point of reference down here?
The Abyss Labyrinth stretches beneath the entirety of Khersath, thus it is uncertain where we are. I would guess we are closer to the Black Rose Headquarters, as only an hour has passed since you were knocked unconscious.
Wait, this place is under ALL of Khersath? Even underneath the ocean?
Yes, that is likely where we are.
Wait, so is there even an accessible exit nearby?